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Can You File a Maryland Medical Malpractice Claim for Vocal Cord Paralysis?
Posted on behalf of Peter T. Nicholl in Medical Malpractice Published on January 19, 2024 and updated on April 27, 2026.
Vocal cord paralysis takes away a victim’s ability to speak, which has devastating consequences for their personal and professional lives. While this injury can have various causes, sometimes it results from medical malpractice. For example, medical malpractice during certain types of surgeries could paralyze the vocal cords.
On This Page
- Defining Vocal Cord Paralysis?
- What Are the Consequences of Vocal Cord Paralysis?
- How Does Vocal Cord Paralysis Occur?
- Treatment for Vocal Cord Paralysis
- Can Victims of Vocal Cord Paralysis File Medical Malpractice Lawsuits?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Vocal Cord Malpractice
- Visit Our Baltimore Location
- Contact Our Experienced Law Firm To Discuss Possible Legal Options
Can vocal cord paralysis be caused by medical malpractice?
Yes, vocal cord paralysis can be caused by medical malpractice when nerve damage results from preventable surgical or airway management errors. Liability depends on whether the provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care and caused avoidable injury. Common causes include surgical nerve injury, improper intubation, or delayed diagnosis of complications.
If you are dealing with vocal cord paralysis and you have reason to believe it was caused by medical malpractice, contact our firm to learn if you may have legal options. Our Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers have secured millions on behalf of injured victims in Maryland, and we represent clients at no upfront cost.
The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl. Schedule a free consultation. Phone: 410-297-0271.
Defining Vocal Cord Paralysis?
Vocal cord paralysis is also called vocal fold paralysis. This is a condition that prevents your vocal fold from opening or closing normally.
Your vocal fold consists of two muscle flaps above the trachea and inside of your larynx. These flaps vibrate as air goes through them. However, when these flaps are paralyzed, they do not vibrate, which can impair speech or take it away altogether.
What Are the Consequences of Vocal Cord Paralysis?
Some people who suffer vocal cord paralysis are left with a raspy voice – their speech sounds labored and difficult. Some victims can only manage to whisper, and even that is difficult.
Some victims also struggle to breathe, as taking in air is uncomfortable. Another problem with vocal cord paralysis is that the windpipe remains open. This can allow food or water to get into the windpipe, instead of where it is supposed to go. This makes it difficult to swallow food or water, which could be life-threatening, as victims could choke on food. In some situations, victims may need an emergency tracheotomy to save their life.
Being unable to speak or having a difficult time speaking can affect victims professionally and socially. They might not be able to work in the same job as before because it requires more talking than they are able to do.
There can also be a significant loss of quality of life, as victims may not be able to engage with their family and friends the way they used to.
How Does Vocal Cord Paralysis Occur?
Vocal cord paralysis results from nerve damage. This type of nerve damage can be caused by many things, including:
Surgical Nerve Damage
There is a risk of vocal cord damage during surgery that involves the:
- Thyroid
- Esophagus
- Neck
- Chest
There are many ways your vocal cords could get damaged during thyroid surgery. For example, if doctors are not careful with the breathing tube, they could damage your vocal cords when inserting or removing the tube. Breathing tubes can also weaken the vocal nerves.
Surgery on the thyroid could bruise or cut the vocal nerve. This could be exacerbated by preexisting problems with your vocal nerves.
Trauma to the Neck or Chest
If you suffer blunt force trauma to the neck or chest, your vocal nerves could suffer serious damage. This could happen in an auto accident.
Cancerous Tumors
Sometimes the vocal cords are damaged because of the growth of a cancerous tumor in the thyroid or elsewhere in your neck or throat. As the tumor grows, it can damage the nerves.
Infections
Sometimes vocal cord paralysis is a result of an infection from a virus or bacteria, such as Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr or herpes. This could happen after a surgical procedure or if doctors used unsanitary breathing tubes or other contaminated instruments.
Treatment for Vocal Cord Paralysis
Many people affected by vocal cord paralysis need surgery to repair the damage. For example, doctors may need to insert structural implants to allow the muscle flap to function as it should. There is also a procedure to move tissue from another part of the voice box.
Some patients may be able to resolve the problem through voice therapy. Patients learn how to relieve tension on the muscle flap.
Another option is a bulk injection of collagen, body fat or a synthetic substance to add mass to the paralyzed flap. This helps move the paralyzed flap close to the other flap that still works.
Can Victims of Vocal Cord Paralysis File Medical Malpractice Lawsuits?
Whether victims of vocal cord paralysis can file a medical malpractice lawsuit depends on certain factors. The question is: Did doctors provide care that met accepted medical standards? If they failed to uphold the standard of care during your treatment, there may be a case for medical malpractice.
If you had surgery and you are experiencing symptoms of vocal cord paralysis, you may want to talk to a lawyer. If symptoms of vocal cord damage have lasted longer than doctors expected and they do not seem to be improving, it may be because of medical malpractice during surgery.
If you did not have problems with speech before your symptoms started, it could indicate that something went wrong during treatment. However, medical malpractice claims are about much more than something going wrong during treatment. You must prove doctors had a legal obligation to do things differently than they were done during the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vocal Cord Malpractice
Can vocal cord paralysis be caused by medical malpractice?
Yes, vocal cord paralysis can result from medical malpractice when nerve damage occurs due to preventable errors. This often involves a failure to meet the standard of care during procedures such as thyroid surgery, cervical spine operations, or improper intubation. The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl can review surgical records and expert findings to determine whether negligence contributed to the injury.
What types of medical errors commonly lead to vocal cord paralysis?
Vocal cord paralysis is frequently linked to surgical nerve damage, improper airway management, or delayed diagnosis of post-operative complications. These errors may constitute negligence if the provider deviated from accepted medical standards or failed to take reasonable precautions. Identifying the specific error is very important to establishing liability and determining which parties may be held accountable.
How can I tell if my vocal cord paralysis was preventable?
Vocal cord paralysis may be preventable if it resulted from avoidable surgical mistakes or inadequate post-operative care. Determining preventability requires analyzing whether the provider followed accepted medical protocols and properly monitored for complications. By working with medical experts, The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl can assess whether your injury could have been avoided with appropriate care.
What damages can be recovered in a vocal cord paralysis malpractice claim?
Compensation may include medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Because vocal cord paralysis can impact speech, breathing, and swallowing, damages often extend to long-term care needs and reduced quality of life. In evaluating a claim, The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl considers both the immediate harm and the lasting effects of the injury.
What evidence is needed to prove a vocal cord paralysis malpractice case?
Proving a claim requires medical records, expert testimony, and evidence linking the provider’s actions to the nerve damage. This may involve demonstrating a breach of the standard of care and establishing causation between that breach and the injury. Strong documentation and expert analysis are essential to building a case that can withstand scrutiny.
Can I file a claim if my symptoms started after surgery or intubation?
Yes, symptoms appearing after surgery or intubation may indicate a potential malpractice claim. Timing is a key factor in establishing causation, particularly when nerve injury occurs during a procedure or immediately afterward. The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl can evaluate the sequence of events and medical decisions to determine whether improper technique or care contributed to the condition.
What if doctors say vocal cord paralysis is a known risk of the procedure?
Even if vocal cord paralysis is a known risk, it may still be actionable if it resulted from negligence rather than an unavoidable complication. The legal focus is whether the provider followed accepted standards and took reasonable steps to minimize risk. If proper precautions were not followed, liability may still exist despite the known risk disclosure.
How soon should I take legal action after being diagnosed with vocal cord paralysis?
You should act promptly after diagnosis to protect your right to pursue a claim. Medical malpractice cases are subject to strict statutes of limitations, and delays can result in lost evidence or barred claims. Early review by The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl allows for timely investigation, preservation of records, and coordination with medical experts.
Visit Our Baltimore Location
Contact Our Experienced Law Firm To Discuss Possible Legal Options
Medical malpractice can cause life-changing injuries that victims may never fully recover from. Unfortunately, it is difficult for victims to know if they may have a valid case.
That is why victims should contact an experienced law firm that has a history of success with these types of cases. The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl has been helping medical malpractice victims for many years, and we know how to determine when there may be a case. We also have the resources necessary to build a strong case.
Call today. There are no upfront costs. Phone: 410-297-0271.
